The Central Library was in the early 1980s one of the first new large cultural facilities built in the city. The area around Blaak had to become a counterpart to all the functionalist architecture, with the new library playing a leading role. Like many projects of its time, the Central Library resulted from a competition. The prize-winning design by Van den Broek and Bakema consisted of ‘stacked squares’.

In 2021, the City of Rotterdam held a competition to select a design team for the renewal of the library. The winning design by Powerhouse Company, Atelier Oslo, Lundhagem and Delva aims to strengthen the relationship between the library and its surroundings and adds a new atrium. Architect Albert Richters (Powerhouse Company) will take you on a tour of the library and afterwards reveals all the ins and outs about the new design, at the exhibition at OMI.